Software Engineer (Backend)

Role Summary

Software Engineer London | Full-time | Hybrid | Shoreditch/Liverpool Street

Create the Future of Travel With Us

Whether it's visiting the people closest to us, starting an exciting adventure, or a career-defining business trip, travel is essential.

Yet we've all experienced the aches and pains of getting to our destination.

More than 4 billion airline passengers rely on technology that hasn't kept up with modern expectations. That's why we're rebuilding the infrastructure that underpins the travel industry - simplifying systems and building tools that will make the future of travel effortless.

We were part of Y Combinator S18's cohort and we're backed by Benchmark, Blossom, Index Ventures, and Kima Ventures - a fantastic set of investors that has helped build some of the world's largest companies.

Our London team is growing, and we're looking for talented people to join us on our journey.

Engineering at Duffel

We're building tools to simplify travel distribution, search, and booking through one seamless API. The technical challenge? Design a beautiful API, then integrate it with hundreds of travel providers - each with different systems and requirements - whilst delivering a fantastic developer experience.

We work with Elixir, Phoenix, Kubernetes, and Google Cloud Platform, but we value strong engineering fundamentals over specific tech experience.

Responsibilities

You'll Thrive Here If

• ✅ You're passionate about designing beautiful APIs and creating great developer experiences
• ✅ You have a high bar for code quality and API design
• ✅ You have opinions on good engineering standards and processes as we define ours at Duffel
• ✅ You think big picture - making tradeoffs between technical work and business impact
• ✅ You communicate clearly, articulating what you're working on and why in a structured way
• ✅ You thrive collaboratively - you believe in your methods but stay open to feedback and suggestions
• Bonus: Experience in travel, flights, hotels, or cars

Benefits

• 💰 Competitive salary + equity (you'll own part of Duffel)
• 🏝️ Work from anywhere policy
• 🛩️ Duffel travel allowance (use what we build)
• 🍼 Matched parental leave
• 🧘♂️ Sabbatical programme (3 months full pay)
• 🪩 Office in Shoreditch + regular team socials
• Why Now Matters

You'll work on the core API powering millions of travel bookings. Early-stage role = outsized impact on how we build and scale.

About the Company

WHY JOIN DUFFEL?

We’re a growth-focused team that values open communication, diverse perspectives, and true ownership. We want you to feel empowered in your role, which is why every permanent employee becomes a company shareholder.

🌍 Live Your Best Life

🔋 Level Up & Give Back

🛡️ The Essentials, Upgraded

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER. WE BELIEVE THAT THE KEY TO OUR SUCCESS IS EMPLOYING A DIVERSE TEAM, THAT'S WHY RECRUITMENT DECISIONS ARE ONLY BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS. WE VALUE YOUR ABILITY TO PROBLEM SOLVE AND BUILD AMAZING THINGS SO WE WELCOME APPLICATIONS FOR EVERYONE - REGARDLESS OF AGE, SEX, DISABILITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RACE, RELIGION OR BELIEF.

NOTE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES DUFFEL DOES NOT ACCEPT SPECULATIVE CV'S FROM EXTERNAL PARTIES. ANY UNSOLICITED CV'S SENT TO US WILL BE TREATED AS PROPERTY OF DUFFEL, AND ANY ATTACHED TERMS AND CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE CV'S WILL BE NULL AND VOID.

Duffel Travel Allowance: We subsidise your wanderlust.

Work From Anywhere (60 days): Your office, your rules.

Sabbaticals: Long-term loyalty, long-term breaks.

Flexible Bank Holidays: Swap holidays to suit your schedule.

Study Days: Get paid to learn.

Volunteering Day: One day a year to save the world.

Electric Car & Cycle Schemes: Eco-friendly rides, tax-free prices.

Family Leave (maternity, paternity and adoption): Big support for life’s biggest moments, 26 weeks fully paid.

Pensions & Loans: Future-proofing and interest-free commuting.